[Obstetrics and gynecology--retrospect of 125 years in Basel]

The development of the discipline Obstetrics and Gynecology is reflected by the medical history at the University of Basel. At the very beginning of academic obstetrics, the cantonal government realised the need of a more practical teaching completing the tradition of theoretical lecturing (1865). Obstetrics was (and still is) a typical example for the turn from theoretical to hands-on-teaching in medicine. At the time, when the independent chair of obstetrics at the University of Basel was founded (1867, Bischoff [1841-1892]), the fight against puerperal fever was the most urgent aim. The battle against puerperal fever was ultimately won around the turn of the 19th to the 20th century (von Herff [1856-1916]) but not much earlier. Step by step the gynecology grew out of the classical surgery where it has been located previously. Surgically skilled obstetricians like Fehling [1847-1925] and Bumm [1868-1925] have enhanced that development. Clinical research started with better information about the lying-in patients (Fehling, Bumm, Labhardt). Bacteriology in close connection with obstetrics was seen important (Bumm). Some decades later, clinical laboratories (clinical chemistry) were founded accompanying the diagnostic approach to various disorders of pregnancy (Labhardt [1874-1949]). Exfoliative cytology became mandatory since 1950 and this was the start to screening programs for early diagnosis of cervical cancer (Koller [1899-1985]). The family planning exploded in the years from 1965 on as the pill has been available, replacing sterilisation-procedures (Labhardt). Endocrinology of pregnancy and cycle needed new biochemical methods. The laboratories were installed. Responding to the demands of a growing discipline, the building was enlarged and adapted in three major steps: 1896 new "Frauenspital", 1928 first enlargement, 1956-1968 constructing of two more storeys, of new surgical theatres and an entire tract for routine and scientific laboratories filling now the area between Klingelberg-, Schanzen- and Spitalstrasse. The hospital harboured in its peak time (1968-1970) more than 300 beds. In 1959 the hospital staff took care of 5000 deliveries (Koller). Fetal monitoring was introduced 1962, being the starting point for the development of "fetal medicine" in Basel. At that time, Otto Käser [1899-1995] was chairman. He was appreciated as one of the most brilliant pelvic surgeons in Europe. Soon, the surgery for breast cancer was added to the classical gynecologic surgery. At the same time, ultrasound started to dramatically influence diagnostic procedures in pregnancy. In the eighties, in-vitro-fertilization and embryo-transfer improved the possibilities to overcome unwanted childlessness (Ludwig [*1929]) and supplemented endocrinology. The scientific spectre spread heavily to reproductive medicine since then, in particular to the molecular biology and research on stem-cells, which was introduced by the present chairman (Holzgreve [*1955]). He has founded several research groups concentrating on the retrieval of floating fetal cells from cord and maternal blood, on other topics in fetal cell research, prenatal diagnosis and in ultrasound.